M’s fall to Astros in another walkoff loss

HOUSTON — Yuli Gurriel doubled in the 10th inning for his second straight walkoff, lifting the Houston Astros to a 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.

The Astros hadn’t scored since putting up five runs in the second inning when Michael Brantley singled to start Houston’s 10th, ending a streak of nine hitless innings over eight appearances for Seattle closer Roenis Elias (2-1). It was the first hit he’d allowed since June 6.

Gurriel then hit a ball just out of reach of diving center fielder Mallex Smith to score Brantley and give Houston the victory. Gurriel also led the Astros to a 2-1 win with a 10th-inning homer on Friday night.

Houston’s bullpen helped the Astros to the win in a game in which Justin Verlander had an uncharacteristically short outing. Collin McHugh struck out the side in the eighth and Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect ninth. Chris Devenski (2-0) allowed one hit in a scoreless 10th.

Verlander gave up five hits and tied his season high with four runs in five innings for his shortest start since going four innings in a loss to the Texas Rangers on April 2. He struck out five and walked a season-high four in the fourth straight start where he’s given up at least one homer.

Tim Beckham, Domingo Santana and Daniel Vogelbach all homered for the Mariners, who lost their third straight.

Kyle Seager walked with two outs in the second inning before Beckham’s towering shot hit on the wall near the train tracks atop left field to put Seattle up 2-0.

Seattle starter Yusei Kikuchi issued consecutive walks to Brantley and Gurriel to open Houston’s second. Josh Reddick reached on a fielding error by Dee Gordon with one out that allowed Brantley to score and cut the lead to 2-1. Jake Marisnick then slapped a double down the left-field line to score two more and give Houston a 3-2 lead.

The speedy Myles Straw singled on an infield grounder before George Springer’s RBI single made it 4-2. The Astros wrapped up their scoring in the inning when Straw scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Altuve.

A single by Gordon opened Seattle’s third and Smith followed with a double. There was one out in the inning when Gordon scored on a groundout by Santana to cut the lead to 5-3.

There were two outs in the fifth when Santana sent a 94 mph fastball from Verlander into the seats in right field for his 18th homer to get the Mariners within one.

Vogelbach tied it in the seventh with his two-out, two-strike home run to center field off Ryan Pressly.

Kikuchi allowed six hits and five runs — three earned — in five innings.

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